Jared Goff arrives for training camp at UC Irvine, where Rams may be looking to stay

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Rams quarterback Jared Goff addresses the media during a news conference as he reports to training camp at University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 23, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

IRVINE – In his third year, Jared Goff has the training-camp drill down. Drive up, sign in, grab a key and take a golf-cart ride to a sparsely furnished UC Irvine dorm room. Goff could be visiting for a while longer.

The Rams’ quarterbacks and rookies checked in for camp Monday, with veterans to follow on Tuesday and Wednesday in advance of Thursday’s initial full-team practice. The Rams seem pleased with their arrangements on the sprawling campus, where they will spend most of the next three weeks in preparation for their Sept. 10 season opener.

The Rams reportedly paid UC Irvine a total of $10 million in their initial agreement, which was reached in 2016 shortly after the team relocated from St. Louis. The Rams use dormitories, meal halls, practice fields and locker rooms and leave the campus before students arrive in September. UC Irvine’s three-year contract with the Rams expires at the end of this camp, but a team official said Monday that the Rams have discussed a new deal with the school and “have every intention to remain there for 2019 and 2020.”

A school spokesperson did not immediately respond when asked for comment.

A two-year extension would make sense. In 2020, the Rams are schedule to move into their new stadium in Inglewood, and they also remain in search of a permanent practice facility to open around that time.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff during a press conference as he reports to training camp at University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 23, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Rams quarterback Jared Goff addresses the media during a news conference as he reports to training camp at University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 23, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff during a press conference as he reports to training camp at University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 23, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff during a press conference as he reports to training camp at University of California, Irvine on Monday, July 23, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Irvine partnership likely has benefited the Rams, who have opened the camp practices to the public and re-connected with fans in Orange County, where they played (in Anaheim) from 1980-94. Players such as Goff don’t seem to be bothered by a return to their college-dorm roots.

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“I’m very excited to get down here,” Goff said shortly after he checked in. “I love it down here in Irvine. I think all the guys are very excited to get going again.”

Much has changed for the Rams. A year ago, after a 4-12 season, they arrived at camp under a new coach, Sean McVay. The Rams went on to win the NFC West and sweep three major awards: coach of the year (McVay), offensive player of the year (Todd Gurley) and defensive player of the year (Aaron Donald).

One storyline remains from last year. Donald still hasn’t signed a new contract. He chose to sit out all of last year’s training camp, and while it remains possible that a new deal could get done before Thursday’s initial practice, it remains unknown whether Donald will attend the start of camp.

Goff smiled when asked if Donald’s situation might be a distraction for the team.

“It wasn’t last year,” Goff said. “We dealt with it last year, and I wish the best for him. I hope that gets resolved, but they’re dealing with it and hopefully it gets resolved soon.”

Also looming, not only over the Rams but over every NFL team, is the still-unsettled matter of national-anthem protests. The league and the players’ association announced last week that they are still searching for a solution to an issue that has dominated NFL news since 2016.

Goff said the Rams have not yet discussed their plans for the anthem but said players likely would hold a meeting before the start of the season.

“We’ve got a really good group of mature guys,” Goff said, “and guys that are driven and have one goal in mind. I think there are many (potential) distractions, and that could be one of them, but we won’t allow it to be and like I said, we’ll handle that internally.”

Rich Hammond was a high school senior when the Rams left town in 1995, and now he's their beat writer for the Southern California News Group. A native of L.A., Rich broke in at the Daily Breeze as a college freshman and also has covered USC, the Kings, the Lakers and the Dodgers. He still loves sports and telling stories. Don't take the sarcastic tweets too seriously.